8 Best art galleries to visit in the Klang Valley
Art in the city
While Southeast Asian art may not be as well-known on a global mainstream scale compared to its Western counterparts, rest assured that Malaysia has plenty of quality artworks just waiting to be discovered. In fact, let this list be an example of that as we shine a light on Kuala Lumpur‘s ever-growing creative landscape that’s becoming a hub for artistic expression. Ahead, here are the best art galleries in the Klang Valley for those with a keen eye for a total culture trip!
Wei-Ling Gallery
Where: 8 Jalan Scott, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm daily (Closed on weekends)
Contact: 03 2260 1106
Established in 2002 by Lim Wei-Ling and Yohan Rajan, the gallery was known formerly as the Townhouse Gallery. Since moving to Brickfields, the space has been transformed from its fire-ravaged interiors to a rustic and contemporary art gallery. Now an iconic establishment in the local art scene, Wei-Ling Gallery aims to push local contemporary art and represents leading artists such as Ivan Lam. It now boasts sister galleries that have sprouted up all over the city including Wei-Ling Contemporary in The Gardens Mall and Penang.
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The Back Room KL
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Where: The Zhongshan Building, First Floor, 80A Jalan Rotan, Off Jalan Kampung Attap 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: 12pm to 6pm on Wednesdays to Sundays (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Contact: 6016 660 2585
Located inside The Zhong Shan Building—a trendy breeding ground for all things creative—The Back Room aims to be a space that curates the best of alternative art. As its name also suggests, it is unlike typical art galleries which have wide spaces and feature towering art pieces. Rather, The Back Room is a cosy space that curates “intimate exhibitions”, according to its Instagram profile states. Come here to view experimental, eccentric and transgressive art forms from local emerging artists.
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Ilham Gallery
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Where: Levels 3 and 5, Ilham Tower, 8, Lrg Binjai, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 11am to 6:30pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays), 11am to 4:30pm (Sundays) | Closed on Mondays
Contact: 03 2181 3003
Established in 2015, Ilham Gallery is a popular art gallery that attracts visitors of all ages but particularly, youths and young adults thanks to its Student Council program and curation of intriguing contemporary Malaysian art. The public art gallery is known to present traditional Malaysian culture in a modern and global context such as its After Dark series, an intimate night art event; live performances; sharing sessions; and more. It is located inside the 58-storey Ilham Tower and has a sprawling space that covers two floors, perfect for art enthusiasts to get stuck in and peruse the many exhibits at their leisure. All exhibits are free.
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Taksu Gallery
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Where: 17 Jalan Pawang, Kampung Datuk Keramat, 54000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm daily (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 03 4251 4396
As one of KL’s long-established art exhibition spaces, Taksu Gallery has locations that span not just Malaysia, but also Bali, Indonesia and Singapore. It has its sights on intercultural dialogue and aims to promote Southeast Asian artists, and even provides curatorial expertise for art exhibitions across the region. The gallery in KL provides an almost personal setting with contemporary exhibits that include fascinating sculpture work, carpets, furniture and paintings.
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Temu House
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Where: 17 Jalan Pawang, 54000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm daily (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 03 4251 4396
While Temu House is more of a privately run event space, we think it’s still worth mentioning it on this list as it is quickly becoming a popular arts hub for creative millennials and Gen Zs. It has held many art-related activities such as curated exhibitions, poetry recitals and live music performances. With its comfortable and minimalist interiors (which come with a pet-friendly backyard!), Temu House creates an intimate and engaging creative ecosystem in which artists and art lovers can come together and enjoy the craft together—much like its name ‘temu‘, meaning meet or come together in Malay.
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Bank Negara Malaysia Museum & Art Gallery
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Where: Sasana Kijang, 2, Jalan Dato Onn, Kuala Lumpur, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm daily (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 03 9179 2784
A history lesson on the country’s economy and finances might not strike most people as entertaining, which is why the Bank Negara Malaysia Museum & Art Gallery presents it in a fun and engaging way. There are six galleries that walk patrons through our country’s economic history and how the national bank played a role from pre-independence to the present day. Not to forget, there are plenty of Instagram-worthy spots such as the viral RM1 million tunnel and the Nautilis staircase! Apart from perusing bank notes and foreign currency, there are also various local and regional artworks on display. Admission is free.
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G13 Gallery
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Where: Kelana Square, GL13, Ground Floor Block B, Jalan SS 7/26, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 11am to 5pm from Tuesdays to Saturdays (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 03 7880 0991
As one of the oldest established art galleries in the city (it just celebrated its 13th anniversary last month!), G13 Gallery is a great place to start perusing local and regional artworks. It is a contemporary art gallery that is committed to promoting Asian art and has held multiple regional art fairs over the years. Through its many exhibitions, residences, talks and cross-border collaborations, patrons will surely learn more about Malaysian and other talented Asian artists through a visit to G13 Gallery.
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Balai Seni Negara (National Art Gallery)
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Where: Lembaga Pembangunan Seni Visual Negara, 2, Jalan Temerloh, off, Jln Tun Razak, 53200 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm daily
Contact: 03 4026 7000
Founded in 1958, National Art Gallery Malaysia is a good place as any to start immersing yourself in the country’s art scene. With more than 2,500 works displayed in its spacious 13,000 square metre building, there is plenty for visitors to explore ranging from photography, textiles, instruments, paintings and more. Further, you can even dedicate a day to tour the area as the art gallery is located between the National Library and Istana Budaya, and both venues are also filled with just as much history and creative expression.
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For more reads on the arts, head here.
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